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It was an accident. One minute Lucy is standing upright and the next she’s lying on the ground with Miles hovering over her. He looks a bit worried knowing how Tim will react.
“Ma’am.” Miles says and holds out his hand to help her up. Lucy takes it but winces at the sharp pain in her side. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” She says but she leans against Miles and he lets her. She’s not as young as she once was, she has had four kids two of them at the same time and she has been feeling more of the aches and pains more often.
“Are you sure?” Miles asks still looking nervous. Lucy hums and Miles helps her back to the shop. He helps her inside, and she knows she has at least cracked a rib.
“Fine.” She says. “I probably have cracked ribs but I’m fine really. Thank you Officer Penn.”
“Of course.” Miles says. “Do you want me to call Sergeant Bradford?” Lucy shakes her head, the last thing she needs is her husband freaking out and then going off on Miles. It wasn’t his fault, but she knows Tim would react and she wanted to make sure to stop that.
“No.” Lucy says. “He’s going to figure it out when I get back to the station. Don’t worry about it.” Miles gives her a skeptical look but nods his head.
They get back to the station in fifteen minutes, and Lucy takes a deep breath even if it’s hard to breathe.
She sees Tim talking to Angela and he must sense her because he looks up and gives her a smile but it immediately turns to a frown. He hurries over, ignores Miles and ushers her to sit down in the nearest chair.
“What happened?” He asks her his eyes on her face but she knows he’s talking to Miles.
“It’s not his fault Tim.” Lucy says. “It was just an accident and I fell down.”
“Did you get checked out?” Tim asks his hand moves down her side and she hisses in pain. She’s definitely in more pain than she thought. Tim pulls his hand back looking concerned.
“No. It’s just cracked ribs and a few bruises.” Lucy says. “I’ll be fine.” Tim just shakes his head a little and she knows he’s going to hover all night.
Which she doesn’t mind at all but they also have four kids who need them.
Tim looks up at Miles, and then holds out his hand to Lucy. She takes it and he helps her up, and pulls her into his side.
“Okay.” He says. “Let’s get you home.” Lucy just nods and she’s grateful she has Tim to help her.
No matter what.
***
Lucy hears the door open and then unmistakable footsteps of the kids. The twins come into the room first, Levi looks like he wants to jump on her but June holds him back.
“Are you okay mom?” June asks. Lucy motions for her to come closer. June was aways so hesitant to be around when they got hurt. She was so anxious already, and thought she would hurt Lucy more.
“I’m fine Junebug.” She says and gives June’s hands a squeeze. “I just need a little rest.” Tim insisted on bringing Lucy home before he went to get the kids. He made he lay down on the couch and put ice on her ribs.
“Good.” June says. And she backs away a little sending her brother a look.
“I’m glad you are okay mom.” Levi says.
“Thanks buddy.” Lucy says. Levi nods and they both leave the room. Ava comes in next and comes over to hug her.
“Do I have to yell at the boot?” Ava asks. Lucy snorts and rolls her eyes. She has no doubt her eldest daughter would yell at Miles. She was a lot like Tim in that way.
“It wasn’t his fault Aves.” Lucy says. “I already had to hold your dad back.” Ava just shakes her head and gives her one more hug.
“Okay. I’ll give him grace this time.” Ava says and gives Lucy one last hug before she’s walking in. Daisy is the last to walk in, and Tim is right behind her. She stops in the middle of the living room staring at Lucy with brown eyes. Daisy, always reminded Lucy of herself when she was younger and the older she got the more she resembles Lucy.
She has her face shape, and her eyes. Her hair was even the same color and textured. She was the only one of the four kids to get Lucy’s wavy hair.
“Hi Daisy.” Lucy says. Daisy swallows and Tim nudges her a little. Even at 12, Daisy was still observant and shy. When one of them got hurt whether it was Lucy, Tim or one of her siblings she always got a little shy and worried. But she got a little extra jittery with Lucy. She had always been attached to her and it was like she just wanted to make her better.
“Are you okay?” Daisy asks softly. Lucy nods and motions her to come forward. But Daisy doesn’t move a muscle just shakes her head.
“It’s okay Dais.” Lucy says. “I’m okay.” But Daisy just shakes her head, and Lucy blows out a breath.
“I don’t want to hurt you more.” Daisy says.
“You won’t baby.” Lucy says reassuringly. “Just come here.” But Daisy doesn’t move and Lucy looks at Tim who looks worried.
“Do you need anything?” Daisy asks. “I can get it for you.” Lucy’s heart clenches at how sweet her daughter is. She’s always been like this, and she really was the calm to Ava’s chaos. She would calm the twins down. Levi’s hyperactivity and June’s anxiousness. She could just cuddle up to Lucy, and she would feel calmer.
“Your dad set me up pretty good.” Lucy tells her. “I need some Daisy cuddles.” Daisy hesistates again and then finally makes her way towards Lucy.
When she’s close enough, Lucy pulls her down into a hug and Daisy immediately melts into her. “That’s better.” Lucy says pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “See you didn’t hurt me.” Daisy pulls back and Lucy scoots over so she can sit down.
“I don’t like when you are hurt.” Daisy says.
“I know sweetie.” Lucy says. “But I’m okay. This really was minor. And I have been taken care of.”
“Good.” Daisy says. Lucy hums softly, and then nudges her.
“How was your day?” She asks. “You had a history test today right?” Daisy nods and Lucy knows how nervous she gets when taking a test but she always manages to pass it. Usually with flying colors.
“I think I did really good.” Daisy says and she finally cracks a smile.
“I know you did sweetie. You studied so hard.” Lucy says. Daisy shrugs and pushes her hair behind her ear.
“I have a math test on Thursday.” She says. Lucy rubs her back and just like the history test she knows Daisy will be fine.
“You will do great Dais.” Lucy says and Daisy’s smile grows a little.
“You always believe in me.” She says. Lucy looks behind at Tim in the kitchen, she did always believe in her kids. She always believed in Tim too but really it came from Tim. It came from Tim always believing in her no matter what.
In everything she did. In everything she tried and failed and then achieved he never gave up on her. It was always when not if with Tim.
They tried their best to model that with their kids, and apparently they were doing a good job.
“I’m your mom.” Lucy says softly. “But yes baby. I do believe in you and I always will. Don’t you ever doubt that.”
“Okay.” Daisy says and she finally lays back into Lucy’s arms. Lucy adjusts so they are both comfortable and there’s a long silence. She hears Daisy’s breathing even out and it reminds her of when she was little and just wanted her mama.
“Feeling better?” Tim asks coming to stand in front of them. Lucy nods and he bends down to give each of them a kiss. “I always knew Daisy’s cuddles were magical.” Lucy laughs and she hears Daisy laugh a little.
Tim gives them one last smile before he walks away and there’s another silence.
“Hey mom?” Daisy asks her voice soft.
“Yes Dais?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too Daisy.”